APOSS was funded by the Grampian Osteoporosis Trust. A.D.A. received an Aberdeen Summer Research Scholarship supported by the funding from the Grampian Osteoporosis Trust Charity. The funder has no role in design, analysis, interpretation and reporting of the work presented. We gratefully acknowledge the Steering Committee of APOSS for permission to conduct this research.Peer reviewedPostprin

Ablett, Andrew D.

Barr, Rebecca

Black, Alison J.

Guillot, Jordan

Macdonald, Helen M.

Myint, Phyo K.

Reid, David M.

Wood, Adrian D.

Annals of Epidemiology

Purpose: To examine the cross-sectional association between anticholinergic medication burden (ACB) and a history of falls, bone mineral density, and low trauma fractures in middle-aged women aged under 65 years from the Aberdeen Prospective Osteoporosis Screening Study. Methods: ACB (0 = none, 1 = possible, ≥2 = definite) was calculated from medication use for 3883 Caucasian women [mean age (SD) = 54.3 (2.3) years] attending the second Aberdeen Prospective Osteoporosis Screening Study visit (1997–2000). Outcomes were examined using logistic regression. Model adjustments were selected a priori based on expert opinion. Results: Of 3883 participants, 3293 scored ACB = 0, 328 scored ACB = 1, and 262 scored ACB ≥2. High ACB burden (≥2) was associated with increased odds (ACB = 0 reference) for falls (fully adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence intervals] = 1.81 [1.25–2.62]; P = 0.002) and having low bone mineral density (lowest quintile-20%) at Ward's triangle (3.22 [1.30–7.99]; P = 0.01). A history of falls over the year prior to the study visit in participants with ACB score ≥2 was 32 per 100. For ACB categories 1 and 0, a history of falls per 100 was 21 and 22, respectively. Conclusions: The risk of falling associated with ACB observed in older age may also extend to middle-aged women.</p

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